Orkneyjar - The Founding of Saint Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall In 1135, Earl Magnus Erlendsson of Orkney was canonised. About this time, the revered remains of Magnus were taken from Christchurch, in Birsay , where they had lain for 20 years, and moved east. Their destination was the unassuming little Church of St Olaf , in a small seaside settlement Kirkjuvagr - or Kirkwall as it is known now. Some years later, the saint's relics were moved again - this time transferred into the massive, sandstone cathedral that had been raised in Magnus's honour. One of the carved figures inside the cathedral - Earl Rognvald, the founder, holding a model of his architectural legacy. The cathedral's founding The story of the founding of St Magnus Cathedral is well documented within the pages of the Orkneyinga saga .

In a tale of political intrigue and dirty deeds, the saga tells us that the cathedral was built on the instructions of Earl Rognvald Kolsson, who had been advised, by his father Kol, to: "build a stone minster at Kirkwall more magnificent than any in Orkney, that you'll have (it) dedicated to your uncle the holy Earl Magnus and provide it with all the funds it will need to flourish. In addition, his holy relics and the episcopal seat must be moved there." The Orkneyinga Saga - Chapter 68 However, Rognvald's intentions in building the cathedral were not entirely honourable. Born in Agder, Norway, around 1100AD, Rognvald was the son of Kol and Gunhild, the sister of Saint Magnus. He changed his name from Kali Kolsson in honour of Earl Rognvald Brusison - the earl of Orkney from around 1037 until his murder in 1045. Before long, Rognvald turned his attention to his uncle Magnus’s half-share of the Orkney earldom.

In 1129, his chance came when he was handed the earldom by the Norwegian king, Sigurd the Crusader. At the time, Rognvald did nothing about claiming his share. In fact, he did nothing for some time, until King Harald, Sigurd’s successor, ratified the claim. Then, Rognvald assembled a fleet and set sail for Orkney, with the intention of overthrowing Paul Hakonsson, the existing earl of Orkney. After battling severe weather, Rognvald and his men finally landed in the islands, but were met with fierce resistance. Not surprisingly, Paul had no intention of giving up his earldom without a fight. It was then that Rognvald's father, Kol, had an idea. Rather than wage all-out war, he suggested that Rognvald should try and secure the earldom by other, less direct, means. Kol instructed Rognvald to tell the people of Orkney that once he became earl, he would raise the finest church the north had ever seen. This church was to be in memory of his saintly uncle, Magnus, a man whom the islanders venerated above all.

While Rognvald was capturing the hearts of the Orcadian people, behind the scenes he had Earl Paul kidnapped in Rousay and spirited from the islands. The Orkneyinga saga is unclear as to the fate of the dispossessed Paul. Sweyn Asleifsson is said to have reported back to Rognvald that Paul had been blinded and incarcerated – upon the instruction of Paul who had decided to remain in Scotland. However, it adds: “But some men tell a story which is less seemly, that Margaret had led Sweyn Asleifsson, by her counsel, to blind earl Paul her brother, and put him into a dark dungeon; but after that she got another man to take his life there.” The saga concluded: “…we do not know which of the two stories is more true; but all men know that he never afterwards came back to the Orkneys, nor held he any rule in Scotland.” Paul's murder, or abdication, saw his three-year-old nephew Harald Maddadsson made joint-earl. And back in Orkney, despite the underhand tactics surrounding the fate of Earl Paul, Rognvald was good to his word.

Construction begins With the earldom in Rognvald's hands, work on the cathedral started. Under the direction of the wily Kol, construction work began in 1137. The ambitious project was to be built on a prime site by the shore - which at that time came up as far as the current Kirk Green. However, a project on this scale was not cheap and Rognvald's grandiose construction scheme soon ran short of money. Kol stepped in again, this time advising his son to restore the rights of tenure to Orkney's "�dallers" in return for a cash payment. Rognvald agreed, the scheme was a success and construction continued. Unfortunately, Earl Rognvald never saw his cathedral reach a state anywhere near completion. In 1158, he was murdered by a rebellious Scottish chieftain. Holy relics Rognvald's bones were returned to Kirkwall, where they were eventually placed within the cathedral he had founded. He was canonised in 1192, but some doubts exist as to the validity of his sainthood, because no existing records seem to confirm it.

However, Saint Rognvald's relics were discovered in the 18th century, set into a stone pillar opposite the one that would, in 1919, be found to contain Saint Magnus' holy remains . Built from alternating bands of local red and yellow sandstone, the cathedral of Saint Magnus gradually grew, and with it the village at its feet. Upon its completion, three centuries or so after the first foundation stone was laid, it towered over Kirkwall - by now a thriving town. The cathedral has been justifiably described as "one of the finest and best preserved medieval cathedrals in Scotland" and it is not difficult to see why. Even now, over 860 years after the initial building work began, St Magnus Cathedral still dominates the Kirkwall skyline - a familiar, and comforting sight, to Kirkwallians around the world. Section Contents St. Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, Orkney Music in St. Magnus St Magnus Cathedral - Britain’s most northerly Cathedral. St Magnus Cathedral known as the 'Light in the North' was founded in 1137 by the Viking, Earl Rognvald, in honour of his uncle St Magnus.

The Cathedral belongs to the people of Orkney and its doors are open to all. The Cathedral, set in the heart of Kirkwall, the capital city of the Orkney Islands, is a place of stillness, of inspiration, of warmth, and is steeped in the presence of God. We invite you to explore this website which contains information about many aspects of the Cathedral's life. The congregation of St Magnus Cathedral is very conscious of its place in a long continuum of worship in this ancient, holy building. Worship is what draws people to the Cathedral. Our worship is open to anyone who might wish to participate. The Society of the Friends of St. Magnus Cathedral is a dedicated group of people who contribute to the life of the Cathedral through fund raising to support the maintenance and development of the building. The Society also seeks to promote increased awareness and knowledge of the Cathedral to the general public. By joining the Friends you are supporting the Cathedral and helping to secure this magnificent building for future generations. St. Magnus Centre is not just a church hall - it is a meeting place, a visitor centre, an arts venue and a place for quiet contemplation.

Building on the facilities offered by the 19th century St Magnus Hall, The St Magnus Centre has meeting rooms, a Projector Room where the film "The Saga of St Magnus" is shown and a large hall which can serve as a great venue for events such as receptions, dances, socials etc.. Visit this site to see what The St Magnus Centre can offer you or your organisation. Kirkwall St Magnus Cathedral (Church of Scotland) Registered Charity SC005322 St. Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, Scotland | Expedia.ca St. Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, Scotland | Expedia.ca St. Magnus Cathedral St. Magnus Cathedral, current page Previous image, 20 total items. Next image, 20 total items. St. Magnus Cathedral Examine the intriguing 17th-century tombstones housed inside this stunning sandstone cathedral. St. Magnus Cathedral is among Orkney’s most recognizable and striking landmarks. Known as the “Light in the North,” this medieval cathedral dominates the skyline of Kirkwall. Inside are memorials to a number of prominent Orcadians. Take a guided tour of the building’s upper levels for wonderful views over the cathedral itself and the surrounding landscape.

The cathedral was built beginning in 1137 by the Viking Earl Rognvald and named for his martyred uncle, Magnus Erlendsson, patron saint of the Orkneys. Look for the remains of St. Magnus and Rognvald, which are interred between the cathedral’s East Choir piers. Constructed using red and yellow sandstone, the cathedral’s design is primarily Norman. Work continued on the building for more than three centuries, and therefore you’ll also notice elements of transitional and early Gothic styles. Much of the cathedral’s soft sandstone details have worn away over the centuries. Notice how the capitals around the main doors, for instance, have been eroded down to twisted stumps. Step inside and admire the cathedral’s towering sandstone columns, which are supported by exposed brickwork arches. Inspect the 17th- and 18th-century epitaphs that line the walls, mainly along the north and south aisles. Many tombs feature intricate ornamentation, including skull and crossbones emblems. The west side of the building features a gorgeous stained-glass window, which was commissioned for the cathedral’s 850th anniversary in 1987.

Head to the far left of the cathedral to find the tomb of Victorian-era Arctic explorer Dr. John Rae, who discovered the final section of the Northwest Passage in Canada. The tomb of Scottish missionary explorer William Baikie is also located here. Book a tour of the cathedral’s upper levels, which includes a visit to its tower. The upper levels offer magnificent views of the building’s interior as well as over all of Orkney. You’ll also have an opportunity to get a closer look at the beautiful west window, clock and three tower bells. St. Magnus Cathedral is located in central Kirkwall and admission is free. Tours of the upper levels have a fee and must be arranged in advance. Opening hours vary by season. See the impressive artifacts housed inside this fine cathedral. Explore More of Kirkwall St. Magnus Cathedral, Orkney — Spirit of Orkney November 13, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment A large part of the imposing and magnificent St. Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall has stood for over 850 years. In 1137, work started on this church built of red and yellow sandstone, to house the bones (relics) of St. Magnus.

St. Magnus Northern side view featuring the Rose window. St. Magnus is the patron saint of Orkney and a 12th century Norwegian ruler of the islands. Earl Magnus Erland ruled alongside his cousin Earl Haakon but the two had many differences. Around 1117, the two earls were brought together by their followers, in an attempt at reconciliation but the warmongering Earl Haakon had no intention of a peaceful meeting and brought with him eight ships and an army of men. The popular and peace loving Earl Magnus attempted to settle things amicably but Haakon’s advisers insisted that Magnus must die. The grim task fell upon Haakon’s cook, Lifolf, who killed Magnus with his axe. The body was then buried at Christ’s Church in Birsay. Miracles Stories of miraculous cures began to be associated with Earl Magnus’ burial place. Public opinion became so strong that the Bishop of Orkney declared Magnus a saint and the day of his death, 16th April, became the day of his martyrdom.

Earl Rognvald In 1129 Kali Kolson, the nephew of Earl Magnus came to Orkney and defeated Haakon’s ruling son. Kali became Earl of Orkney and took the name Rognvald in memory of a previous Earl. Rognvald vowed he would build a church of stone dedicated to his uncle and to it “be brought his relics and with them the Episcopal seat”. Upon his death, Rognvald was laid to rest in the magnificent church which he had founded, and thirty years after his death was also declared a saint. The remains of St. Magus and St. Rognvald remain within the cathedral. The cathedral Stunning vaulted ceiling and Romanesque arches of the nave The strong walls of St Magnus Cathedral are constructed of red and yellow sandstone, giving a warmth and softness to the magnificent structure. Impressive Romanesque style blind arches, run along the full length of the nave of the cathedral. It is suggested that these were not only ornamental but helped to reduce the weight of the walls. Detailing in the stonework is breathtaking but not ostentatious.

For a large building constructed of stone, it has a feeling of homely warmth and a certainty that one is safe within it’s walls. Many tombstones lifted from the floor, now stand against the walls of the nave isles, the majority from the 17th century. An arched recess in the south wall is believed to belong to the native Orkney Paplay family and is thought to date back to the 14th century. Dungeons & Knights Templar St. Magnus cathedral is the only cathedral in the British Isles with a dungeon. Located between the south wall of the choir and south transept chapel, it is known as Marwick’s Hole and records tell of imprisoned men and women as late as the 18th century. A Knights Templar cross can also be seen carved into one of the stones in the south transept. Fine carvings Throughout the cathedral is a wealth of intricate wooden carvings. None more so than the choir area and the decorative organ screen designed by George Mackie Watson . During restoration works in 1919, some of the stones in the choir’s south arcade were found to be loose.

In a cavity behind these stones was found a casket containing the relics of St. Magnus. The casket now resides in Orkney Museum but the bones were restored to their original resting place. HMS Royal Oak Memorial in St Magnus Cathedral In the north choir isle, is a memorial to the 833 drowned men of HMS Royal Oak , which was torpedoed in Scapa Flow by a German U-Boat in 1939. The ship’s bell which was recovered from the wreck by dievrs int he 1970’s, hangs over a wooden plaque and glass topped case. The glass case contains a book listing the names of those who perished at sea. A regular weekly job of the cathedral wardens is to turn a single pages of the book of remembrance. St. Rognvald Chapel The east end of the choir, part of which dates from the 13th century was dedicated St Rognvald chapel in 1965. New furnishings were commissioned which incorporate 16th and 17th century carved panels which had been held for preservation in the cathedral.

Fine carvings and ancient panels adorn the chapel Designed by Orcadian Dr Stanley Cursiter , the Queen’s limner and Painter in Scotland and made by local carpenter Reynold Eunson, the communion table and prayer desk are inlaid with the 16th and 17th century panels with three figures of Kol, St. Rognvald and Bishop William the Old standing above in three arches. Arctic Explorer A monument to a great Orcadian explorer To the right of the St. Rognvald Chapel is a life size monument to Dr. John Rae , the famous Orcadian Arctic explorer who surveyed parts of the North West Passage and discovered the fated Franklin expedition. More information GENUKI: Kirkwall, Orkney We are in the process of upgrading the site to implement a content management system. Kirkwall Maps "Kirkwall, parl. and royal burgh, seaport, and co. town of Orkney, Kirkwall and St Ola par., Mainland, at head of Kirkwall Bay, 51 miles N. of Wick, which is 742½ miles NW. of London by rail, parl. burgh, pop.

3923; royal burgh, pop. 2613; town, pop. 3947; P.O., T.O., 4 Banks, 4 newspapers. The cathedral of Kirkwall (1137), dedicated to St Magnus, the patron saint of Orkney, is one of the three old cathedrals of Scotland that remain in nearly perfect condition. The choir is used as the parish church. ... Adjoining the cathedral are the remains of the bishop's palace, where Haco King of Norway died in 1263, and the ruins of the earl's palace (about 1600), the hall of which figures in Scott's Pirate. The last remains of the old royal Castle of Kirkwall, a fortress of great strength and antiquity, were removed in 1865. To the E. of the harbour are the remains of a fort erected by Cromwell. Kirkwall has steam communication with Lerwick, and with Leith, by Wick and Aberdeen. The harbour, which has been much improved, is secure and commodious, and the trade, foreign and coasting, is considerable.

(For shipping statistics, see Appendix.) Kirkwall was made a royal burgh by James III. in 1486. It is one of the Wick District of Parliamentary Burghs, which returns 1 member." From John Bartholomew's Gazetteer of the British Isles, 1887 The Minutes of the Town Council of Kirkwall in the Orkneys 1669-1700: transcribed by Morris Pottinger. Privately printed 2000. 355pp. In print. Fascinating insights into the lives of hundreds of townspeople. Light in the North: edited by Howie N. Firth and H. W. M. Cant. Published Kirkwall 1989. 137pp. Personalities associated with St. Magnus Cathedral. Kirkwall Grammar School: by William P.L. Thomson. Published 1976. History of the ancient school now attended by most Orcadians. Charters and other Records of the City and Royal Burgh of Kirkwall: by John Mooney. Published 1952 by The Spalding Club, Aberdeen iii,19.

The Cathedral and Royal Burgh of Kirkwall: by John Mooney. Published Kirkwall 1943, 1947. 267pp. Definitive history of the city. Paterson Church, Kirkwall Tercentenary Jubilee 1796-1946: No author. Published 1946. Kirkwall Congregational Church: by Rev Alexander Goodfellow. Published 1912 Old Lore Miscellany vi,63. The History of the Kirkwall United Presbyterian Congregation from its formation in 1796 to the Union in 1900: by Rev D. Webster. Published 1910. Kirkwall in the Orkneys: by Buckham H. Hossack. Published by Kirkwall Press, 1986 (reprint of 1900 edn. In print. 490pp. An Orkney classic, the history of the town's dwellings and their occupants - landed families, merchants and craftsmen. Of great historical and genealogical interest. Curious Incidents from the Ancient Records of Kirkwall: by William R. Mackintosh.

Published 1892. 329pp. Companion volume to the next volume: Glimpses of Kirkwall and its People in Olden Times: by William R. Mackintosh. Published 1885. 326pp. Excerpts from Council records, 1691-1834. The Ancient and Present State of Orkney: by George Eunson. Published 1788. Full blooded and satirical indictment of magistrates and Councillors of Kirkwall. Description of St.Ola Parish and Kirkwall, Orkney: Author unknown. Published 1726; reprinted by Scottish History Society 1900, pp141-151. Churches Kirkwall - Encyclopedia Kirkwall GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES KIRKWALL (Norse, Kirkjuvagr, " church bay"), a royal, municipal and police burgh, seaport and capital of the Orkney Islands, county of Orkney, Scotland. Pop. (1901), 3711.

It is situated at the head of a bay of the same name on the east of the island of Pomona, or Mainland, 247 m. N. of Leith and 54 m. N. of Wick by steamer. Much of the city is quaint-looking and old-fashioned, its main street (nearly 1 m. long) being in parts so narrow that two vehicles cannot pass each other. The more modern quarters are built with great regularity and the suburbs contain several substantial villas surrounded by gardens. Kirkwall has very few manufactures. The linen trade introduced in the middle of the 18th century is extinct, and a like fate has overtaken the kelp and straw-plaiting industries. Distilling however prospers, and the town is important not only as regards its shipping and the deep-sea fishery, but also as a distributing centre for the islands and the seat of the superior law courts. The port has two piers. Kirkwall received its first charter from James III. in 1486, 'but the provisions of this instrument being disregarded by such men as Robert (d. 1592) and Patrick Stewart (d.

1614), 1st and 2nd earls of Orkney, and others, the Scottish xv. 27 parliament passed an act in 1670 confirming the charter granted by Charles II. in 1661. The prime object of interest is the cathedral of St Magnus, a stately cruciform red sandstone structure in the severest Norman, with touches of Gothic. It was founded by Jarl Rognvald (Earl Ronald) in 1137 in memory of his uncle Jarl Magnus who was assassinated in the island of Egilshay in 1115, and afterwards canonized and adopted as the patron saint of the Orkneys. The remains of St Magnus were ultimately interred in the cathedral. The church is 234 ft. long from east to west and 56 ft. broad, 71 ft. high from floor to roof, and 133 ft. to the top of the present spire - the transepts being the oldest portion.

The choir was lengthened and the beautiful eastern rose window added by Bishop Stewart in 1511, and the porch and the western end of the nave were finished in 1540 by Bishop Robert Reid. Saving that the upper half of the original spire was struck by lightning in 1671, and not rebuilt, the cathedral is complete at all points, but it underwent extensive repairs in the 19th century. The disproportionate height and narrowness of the building lend it a certain distinction which otherwise it would have lacked. The sandstone has not resisted the effects of weather, and much of the external decorative work has perished. The choir is used as the parish church. The skellat, or fire-bell, is not rung now. The church of St Olaf, from which the town took its name, was burned down by the English in 1502; and of the church erected on its site by Bishop Reid - the greatest building the Orkneys ever had - little more than the merest fragment survives. Nothing remains of the old castle, a fortress of remarkable strength founded by Sir Henry Sinclair (d.

1400), earl and prince of Orkney and 1st earl of Caithness, its last vestiges having been demolished in 1865 to provide better access to the harbour; and the earthwork to the east of the town thrown up by the Cromwellians has been converted into a battery of the Orkney Artillery Volunteers. Adjoining the cathedral are the ruins of the bishop's palace, in which King Haco died after his defeat at Largs in 1263. The round tower, which still stands, was added in 1550 by Bishop Reid. It is known as the Mass Tower and contains a niche in which is a small effigy believed to represent the founder, who also endowed the grammar school which is still in existence. To the east of the remains of the bishop's palace are the ruins of the earl's palace, a structure in the Scottish Baronial style, built about 1600 for Patrick Stewart, 2nd earl of Orkney, and on his forfeiture given to the bishops for a residence. Tankerness House is a characteristic example of the mansion of an Orkney laird of the olden time.

Other public buildings include the municipal buildings, the sheriff court and county buildings, Balfour hospital, and the fever hospital. There is daily communication with Scrabster pier (Thurso), via Scapa pier, on the southern side of the waist of Pomona, about 12 m. to the S. of Kirkwall; and steamers sail at regular intervals from the harbour to Wick, Aberdeen and Leith. Good roads place the capital in touch with most places in the island and a coach runs twice a day to Stromness. Kirkwall belongs to the Wick district group of parliamentary burghs, the others being Cromarty, Dingwall, Dornoch and Tain. - Please bookmark this page (add it to your favorites). - If you wish to link to this page, you can do so by referring to the URL address below this line. Copyright © 1995-2011 ITA all rights reserved. Encyclopedia Alphabetically Events | Orkney.com Events Menu Events in Orkney Orkney has a packed calendar of events running for much of the year, with our many festivals among the top attraction for visitors and residents alike.

Kicking things off in March is the Orkney One Act Play Festival, which sees Orkney’s local drama groups competing for a place in the Scottish Community Drama Association's (SCDA) divisional and national contests. Click to Enlarge The Stromness Shopping Week Queen in Orkney Click to Enlarge The Festival of the Horse in St Margaret's Hope, Orkney Click to Enlarge The Kirkwall Christmas tree lighting ceremony in St Magnus Cathedral Click to Enlarge A fancy dress float on parade in Orkney Click to Enlarge The Kirkwall 'ba in full blooded action on Broad Street Click to Enlarge The Orkney Folk Festival in full swing - image by Sean Purser Click to Enlarge Cattle at Orkney's County Show waiting for judging Click to Enlarge Some of the crowds at Orkney's County Show Click to Enlarge The Norwegian Constitution Day parade in Kirkwall Click to Enlarge Horses taking part in the Riding of the Marches in Kirkwall Stromness hosts the Orkney Jazz Festival in April, with celebrations for Orkney's patron saint, St Magnus, taking place on the 16th of the month.

Orkney's famous folk festival is held towards the end of May, with some of the best traditional musicians in the world sharing a platform with our local talent. On Norwegian Constitution Day - May 17 - there's a parade, service and dance in Kirkwall to celebrate Orkney’s Norse heritage with our visiting friends from across the North Sea. The internationally acclaimed St Magnus International Festival takes place in June, with performances from leading classical musicians, singers, orchestras and poets. Scotland's only wine festival is also staged here in June, as are traditional midnight golf matches that make the most of Orkney’s light summer nights. Stromness Shopping Week in July offers a whole week of entertainment for all the family, with a spectacular pier-head fireworks display and dance concluding this ever popular event. There's no let up in August when the agricultural shows, held throughout the county, allow Orkney’s farmers to show off their champion animals. The shows are hugely popular days out for all the family, drawing exiled Orcadians back to the islands, along with many visitors. The Vintage Rally Show and the Riding of the Marches in Kirkwall are held after the County Show has taken place.

Another event is the unique Festival of the Horse and Boys’ Ploughing Match in South Ronaldsay. The Orkney International Science Festival, held in September, has grown in popularity with many of the fascinating talks and events sold out each year. Later in the month Stromness hosts the Orkney Blues Festival, with the town's bars the focus for gigs from local and visiting groups. If you like to hear a good traditional tale, delivered by some of the best storytellers in the business, then October's Orkney Storytelling Festival has much to offer. And for three weeks either side of the winter solstice on December 21 you can witness the light from the setting sun in the Neolithic tomb of Maeshowe. Christmas concerts and the lighting of the Christmas lights in all the parishes and isles are an opportunity for communities to get together in the dark days of winter. On Christmas Day and New Year’s Day the famous Ba’ is played in Kirkwall in a men’s and a boys’ version. It's a serious business, reserved for those who know what they're doing, with games usually lasting for several hours.

Between the festivals there are many concerts, talks, art exhibitions, plays, operas, gigs, shows, sporting events and all manner of other activities taking place. In fact, you'd be hard pressed to find a week in the Orkney calendar when nothing was happening, so there's never a dull moment! Kirkwall, Orkney - The Internet Guide to Scotland THE INTERNET GUIDE TO SCOTLAND Orkney Accommodation, Travel and Sightseeing On this page: St Magnus Cathedral Earl's Palace and Bishop's Palace Tankerness House The text below comes from the journal I kept when I was in Kirkwall in August 1993. It's a unique place. Visit it if you can. © David Woods | Dreamstime.com St Magnus Cathedral Its presence originates in events which occurred over eight hundred years ago during the time of Norse rule. Just after Easter 1117, Hakon tricked his cousin Magnus into meeting him on the island of Egilsay with a view to discussing the ownership of Orkney. As the peace-loving Magnus pleaded for his life and prayed for the soul of his murderer, Hakon ordered him to be struck down with an axe.

Magnus was seen as a martyr and soon canonised when rumours of miracles spread. Before setting out to win possession of the islands, his nephew Rognvald vowed to build a church in Magnus' name if he was successful. It was duly started in 1137, under the expert eye of masons from Durham and the supervision of Rognvald's father. Impressive when viewed from the exterior, this grand creation is even more magnificent inside. On entering the nave, I was first struck by the overall size and general structure of the building. Then as I began to walk around, I was taken in by the variety of things to see and the detail which has been lavished on them. Following extensions over the centuries, Romanesque, Transitional and Gothic styles all blend together in patterned arches, ogives and pillars made of red and yellow sandstone. Against the inner walls stand dozens of inscribed tombstones mostly dating from the seventeenth century and all seemingly carved with the skull and crossbones. Despite the cold air, the colours of the stone added a warmth to the atmosphere and as I made my way up the south aisle, the sun shone through the stained glass windows.

In the choir, the remains of Magnus and Rognvald lie sealed within two pillars. After initially being buried on Birsay, Magnus' body was brought to Kirkwall once the cathedral was ready. His relics were found during renovation in 1919, a hundred years after the discovery of his nephew's skeleton. Window in St Magnus Cathedral stock photo library - purchase prints and posters online In the far corners of the choir aisles, I came across the elaborate tombs of two Orkney-born explorers. John Rae, a doctor who joined the Hudson Bay Company in 1833, participated in many expeditions to the Arctic. Whilst William Balfour Baikie, a naval surgeon, navigated up the River Niger into 250 miles of uncharted territory. Between them is the communion table which is overlooked by three golden statues set on a red background on the rear wall. Flanked by his father Kol and Bishop William the Old, Rognvald stands in the middle carrying a model of the cathedral as he designed it. Heading down the north aisle, I was surprised to see a large painted statue of a Norse king.

It turned out to be a representation of Saint Olaf which was presented by the Church of Norway to commemorate the cathedral's octocentenary. Further down is a small plaque in memory of the 833 sailors who died when HMS ROYAL OAK was torpedoed in Scapa Flow. In the north side of the nave hangs an example of a seventeenth century Mort Brod. This dark wooden board features a shrouded skeleton representing Death on one side and an inscription about the deceased on the other. Appropriately for a cathedral which sprang from the untimely passing of its patron saint, death is omnipresent here but not overwhelming. I completed another circuit of the interior, then sat quietly to one side. I gazed upwards and tried to imagine the figures who would have walked in the shadowy arcades that run around the nave. I stared at the intricacies of the arches and thought of the craftsmen who had laboured to create such elaborate carvings. I examined the patterned floor under my feet and wondered who had gone before me. In the wall opposite, my eyes fell on an aperture behind which lay blackness.

From the guide book, I remembered reading of a dungeon where people were imprisoned as late as the eighteenth century. Marwick's Hole is situated between the south wall of the choir and the south transept chapel. Its presence is betrayed only by this small opening well above eye-level. Previously I must have walked past it without realising. Photo © Tomas Skopal | Fotolia.com I went over for a closer inspection, but could see nothing other than darkness. Before moving to a seat in the choir, I looked at the ornate wooden doors and pondered over what lay behind them. By the marble font, I sat absorbed by sculpted faces peering down on me. So many of the columns are decorated with strange human and animal heads. Finally, the time came for me to leave. From the serenity and mystery of the past, I stepped back into the outside world and the present. St Magnus Cathedral - click here for official web site Earl's Palace and Bishop's Palace Set back from the road, across the grass and under a sprinkling of sycamores, sit the Renaissance ruins of the Earl's Palace. Oriel windows and decorations carved in the sandy coloured stonework gave glimpses of the former splendour of the residence.

After paying the friendly custodian, I entered the dark corridors of the ground floor. The temperature dropped as steps led down to store rooms and cellars. In one, I stopped to watch a video outlining the history of Orkney. It is said that the name comes from orca since the early settlers mistook the islands for whales when they first saw them on the horizon. I also learned that Earl Patrick Stewart started his palace sometime between 1600 and 1607, but was unable to complete it before running into debt. Having taken over Orkney from his tyrant father, Mary Queen of Scots' half-brother, he continued to use the local people as slaves and was eventually executed for treason in 1615. Copyright The Internet Guide to Scotland 2009 From there I went into the old kitchen and then up the main staircase to the first floor. A stone hand basin was clearly visible in the antechamber to one of the Earl's apartments where he would no doubt have kept his visitors waiting before granting them an audience. In several rooms, water closets had been built into recesses in the walls.

On entering the great hall with its elaborate fireplace and bay windows, I was surprised to hear disembodied voices and found that to the rear it overlooks the bowls club. It was hard to imagine the huge dining table where Earl Patrick would have sat almost four hundred years ago, surrounded by tapestries, trophies and servants, entertaining those he sought to impress. As a party of Scandinavian teenagers began a noisy invasion, I crossed over the road to the mid-12th century Bishop's Palace which was constructed by Earl Rognvald to provide his friend William the Old with premises near the cathedral. In its day, the rectangular hall-house would have comprised apartments built over cellars, but now the wooden floors have all gone and the grey stone walls stand empty. It was here in 1263 that King Haakon of Norway died following his ill-fated attempt to prevent the Western Isles falling into Scottish hands at the Battle of Largs. Within three years his son had sold them to Alexander III ending four centuries of Norse rule. However, Orkney and Shetland were not relinquished for another two hundred years.

The palace itself was rebuilt in the 15th century and then restored by Bishop Reid in the mid-1500s when he added a strong round tower known as the "Moosie Toor". A dark, spiral staircase leads to the top and a bird's eye view of the cathedral. Standing cautiously back from the edge in a gusting wind, I found myself opposite its rose window, looking down on the graveyard. Over the rooftops on the western horizon, Wideford Hill, a gentle curved bump rising some 250 metres above sea level, was the only patch of high land to be seen. Now in the care of Historic Scotland . Open daily from 9.30am to 5.30pm (or 4.30pm in winter). Admission charge. Tankerness House - The Orkney Museum Originally built as two manses for members of the cathedral clergy, it was extended in 1574 and bought by the Baikies of Tankerness for use as a town house in the early seventeenth century. Following restoration in the 1960s, it is now a museum which charts the history of Orkney from its earliest inhabitants to the present day.

On the ground floor, displays explain what archaeological finds have revealed about life in the islands from agriculture to religion. Weapons, tools, jewellery, combs, pottery and even human remains provide a fascinating portrait of ancient times. Many artefacts are kept in perspex boxes with strict temperature and humidity controls. A series of rooms including stones carved with runic inscriptions tells the story of the Picts and Vikings. Upstairs the exhibits date from more recent times with paintings, family heirlooms and documents relating to local customs. A room is devoted to the Arctic explorer, John Rae. Admission free. Open daily Monday - Saturday from 10am � 5pm all year (but closes for lunch October - April). Official web site The gardens to the rear of the house are an ideal spot to eat your sandwiches on a sunny day. Suggested reading If you are sightseeing around the islands, then an indispensable tool is the Leisure and Tourist Map for Orkney and Shetland which pinpoints well over 100 important places to see and has a gazetteer with a short description of each.

Attractions in The Orkney Islands | Frommer's advertisement Kirkwall For the most scenic walk in town, providing views of Kirkwall and the North Isles, head up Wideford Hill, about 3km (1 3/4 miles) west of town. On the western slope of this hill, 4km (2 1/2 miles) west of Kirkwall, is the Wideford Hill Cairn, a trio of concentric walls built around a passage and a megalithic chamber. The "Pride of Orkney" is St. Magnus Cathedral, on Broad Street (tel. 01856/874-894). Jarl Rognvald, nephew of the martyred St. Magnus, the island chain's patron saint, founded the cathedral to honor him in 1137, and the remains of the saint and Rognvald were interred between the two large East Choir piers. The cathedral is a "Norman" building, constructed of gray and pinkish rose sandstone. Work went on over centuries, and additions were made in the transitional and very early Gothic styles. It's still in regular use as a church.

You can visit from April to September, Monday to Saturday 9am to 6pm and Sunday 2 to 6pm; and October to March, Monday to Saturday 9am to 1pm and 2 to 5pm. Across from the cathedral are the ruins of a 12th-century Bishop's Palace, Broad Street (tel. 01856/875-461), with a round tower from the 16th century. King Haakon came here to die in 1263, following the Battle of Largs and his attempt to invade Scotland. The palace was originally constructed for William the Old, a bishop who died in 1168. An easy scenic walk will take you to the impressive ruins of Earl Patrick's Palace, on Watergate (tel. 01856/721-205). Built in 1607, it has been called the most mature and accomplished piece of Renaissance architecture left in Scotland. Earl Patrick Stewart was the son of the illegitimate brother of Mary Queen of Scots, and the palace figured in Sir Walter Scott's The Pirate.

Both the Bishop's Palace and Earl Patrick's Palace are open April through September, daily from 9:30am to 6:30pm. Admission covering both palaces is £2 for adults, £1.50 for seniors and students, and 75p for children 5 to 16. Nearby is the 1574 Tankerness House (also known as the Orkney Museum), on Broad Street (tel. 01856/873-191), an example of a merchant laird's mansion, with crow-stepped gables, a courtyard, and gardens. The museum depicts life in the Orkneys over the past 5,000 years. Exhibits range from the bones of the earliest prehistoric inhabitants and Neolithic pottery to Pictish stone symbols and domestic utensils. It's open Monday to Saturday 10:30am to 5pm. Admission is free, though donations are welcome. Orkney Wireless Museum, Kiln Corner, Junction Road (tel.

01856/871-400), is a museum of wartime communications used at Scapa Flow, which was a major naval anchorage in both world wars. Today, this sea area, enclosed by Mainland and several other islands, has developed as a pipeline landfall and tanker terminal for North Sea oil. You can also see a large collection of early domestic radios. It's open from April to September, Monday to Saturday 10am to 4:30pm and Sunday 2:20 to 4:30pm. Admission is £3 for adults and £2 for children 5 to 15. In the environs are the Grain Earth Houses at Hatson, near Kirkwall. This is an Iron Age souterrain (underground cellar), with stairs leading down to the chamber. Another Iron Age souterrain, Rennibister Earth House, is about 7km (4 1/3 miles) northwest of Kirkwall. This excavation also has an underground chamber with supporting roof pillars. Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

advertisement Orkneyjar - St Magnus Cathedral - Marwick's Hole St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall Marwick's Hole - the Cathedral dungeon " that Marwick's Hole was a name of terror to the most hardened transgressors we have abundant proof." B. H. Hossack - Kirkwall in the Orkneys St Magnus Cathedral has the distinction of being the only cathedral in the British Isles with its own dungeon. This holding-pen, known as "Marwick's Hole" was in use as late as the eighteenth century. The identity of the "Marwick" who gave his name to the chamber is not known. Was he in some way involved in its construction or use? Or perhaps one of the first occupants? It is not clear when Marwick's Hole was actually created, but one source claims it dates from around 1540-1558 - the era of Bishop Robert Reid. The chamber is found between the south wall of the choir and the south transept chapel. Upon first glance the area seems unremarkable - merely another section of wall - but up above eye-level is a dark opening that betrays the existence of the prison.

"Many a time has the Cathedral echoed with the screams and imprecations of reluctant women and men on their way, short as it was, to the dreaded Marwick's Hole." B. H. Hossack. Originally the detention chamber was accessed from an upper chamber, the prisoners being deposited into Marwick's Hole via a chute. "When an unfortunate was sentenced to imprisonment he glided gently from the hall of justice directly into his cell. Once in escape was impossible, and when the aperture was closed the unhappy occupant was in total darkness." B. H. Hossack. This method of imprisoning wrongdoers changed in later years. According to Hossack, in Kirkwall in the Orkneys: "[the Protestant clergy] blocked the easy shoot, opened a door in the built up window, and from the south transept chapel, where they sit, send their prisoners round into the church and up a ladder into their cell." See Also

Question: Who is the Patron Saint of The Orkneys? It is also the name of the cathedral in Kirkwall.
Answer: St Magnus